Here’s How To Master Masculine-Meets-Feminine Dressing

Feat. a few styling tips to strike the right balance.

They say life is all about balance, and I must agree. The older and (arguably) wiser I get, the more I notice my days are one big Circus-worthy juggling act—from running a business and nurturing a twelve-year relationship, to (gasp) battling a mortgage and keeping one eye on my health. That’s not even taking into consideration the effort that goes into ~looking the part~ while I do it (it’s called working in fashion, yo’). That’s where masculine meets feminine dressing comes in handy.

When it comes to the #fash side of things, my M.O. over the years has been all about fusing different parts of my personality together. My goal when getting dressed is to never lean too heavily into any one vibe, trend or mood. Instead, I’ve been trying to master the art of balance in my daily outfit choices—appearing “put together” without looking like I’ve spent the better part of this year deliberating over what to wear. Since my days are so varied, I like to make sure I’m always dressed like I’m getting down to business, whilst also staying true to my more feminine-leaning side. So basically if Lauren Hutton’s style and Jeanne Damas’s style had a little style baby. Cute!

As you probs already know, I’m a big believer in reducing getting ready time of a morning in favour of much more fulfilling pursuits (like hunting down my next coffee and scrolling through Instagram). As such, I’ve come to rely on a few quick styling principles that keep my looks feeling balanced. Here goes!

Start with your outfit, and then finish it off with shoes and accessories that balance the look.

Case in point: this feminine look paired with a men’s watch (I’m more than a wee bit obsessed with the tomboy vibe of this one from Louis Vuitton, especially when it’s chilling alongside a silk cami and strappy heels).

Yikes, I hear you say from behind your computer, and I feel you (remember that part where I said I practically wear the same thing every day?). But stepping outside of your comfort zone doesn’t have to be daunting, promise!

If, like me, you’re all about that suit life, even trying something as simple as a ribbon in your hair, or pairing your suit trousers with a Victorian-era blouse can give your style an unexpected feminine update, whilst remaining true to yourself.

Conversely, if you identity as more of a Jeanne than a Lauren, you can breathe life into your aesthetic by adding more androgynous pieces to your look (a men’s watch or dad sneakers, for example).

PS: if you look to your right, you’ll see an example of me stepping well outside my comfort zone by cutting shapes in my armchair!